Pre-Professional and Two-Year Curricula

Students desiring to enter the fields of dentistry, law, medicine, ministry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine may take their pre-professional training at East Carolina University. The courses of study are based on the requirements of various professional schools and recommendations of national organizations qualified to represent their respective fields. Since there are minor differences in admission requirements, a student should know the requirements of the school he or she expects to attend. For further information, students should consult the appropriate advisors. Students interested in pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, and pre-veterinary curricula should share their interest with their advisor, and should contact the Center for Pre-Professional Advising, 2535 Old Cafeteria Building.

Medical Health Professions Curriculum

Philosophies of education and specific pre-medical and pre-dental course requirements vary among medical and dental schools, but all emphasize the sciences (mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics), communication skills, social sciences, and the humanities. An understanding of concepts and a vocabulary in the sciences are mandatory, for medicine is based on principles stemming from these disciplines. Among American medical and dental schools, the most common requisites are physics, biology, general and organic chemistry, and English. Beginning in 2015, students taking the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) will be tested on basic principles in psychology, sociology, and critical thinking (in addition to the sciences listed above). At this time, courses in psychology, sociology, and critical thinking are not required for entrance to medical school, but are strongly recommended.

Most medical and dental schools recommend that students plan to obtain a four-year degree before initiating medical training. Students majoring in the sciences should try to obtain as broad a background in the social sciences and humanities as possible. Conversely, students majoring in a nonscience area should take more than the minimum science courses. Students wishing to attend medical or dental school should ascertain the requirements and recommendations of schools of their interest and select the specific courses required. The following specific courses are suggested as a part of, or in addition to, the requirements for the major: MATH 1065; BIOL 1100, 1101, 1200, 1201; CHEM 1150, 1151, 1160, 1161, 2750, 2753, 2760, 2763; PHYS 1250, 1260 or 2350, 2360; 1251, 1261.

Pre-Law Curriculum

Students who intend to go to law school are encouraged to pursue an undergraduate education that prepares them to understand the world in which they live, to express themselves well, and to reason accurately and logically. Pre-law students are encouraged to choose an undergraduate degree program with courses they will enjoy and in which they will excel. Law school admission is highly competitive, and law schools favor students with high grade point averages and high Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores. Pre-law students who are eligible to participate in the Honors College may do so.

Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum

Three years of college to include the following courses: BIOL 1050, 1051; BIOL 2110, 2111 or BIOL 3220, 3221 or BIOL 2130, 2131 or BIOL 2300; CHEM 1150, 1151; CHEM 1160, 1161; CHEM 2750, 2753; CHEM 2760, 2763; PHYS 1250, 1251; MATH 2119 or MATH 2121 or MATH 2171; some institutions require an economics and/or a public speaking course; some institutions require a foreign language through level 1003; recommended course: HIMA 3000. Further assistance can be obtained by consulting the pre-pharmacy advisor in the Center for Pre-Professional Advising.

Pre-Theology Curriculum

Students interested in seminary or divinity school may consult with Dr. Derek Maher, director of religious studies, A-327 Brewster; telephone 252-328-5332; e-mail maherd@ecu.edu; or visit the web site www.ecu.edu/religionprogram/. A religious studies minor is currently available. Students may pursue a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies with a concentration in religious studies.